Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain among Textile Factory Workers: A Case Study in Akosombo Textiles Limited in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Background: Textile factory workers are usually at risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to the nature of their work; which involves assuming of awkward postures coupled with weight lifting and other varying ways of lifting, pushing, and/or pulling trolleys, prolonged standing or sitting, and torso bending and stretching. That notwithstanding, very little attention has been paid to the musculoskeletal health effects associated with the work hazards experienced by textile factory workers in Ghana. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal pain among textile factory workers in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among textile factory workers in the Eastern Region of Ghana to collect data. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on musculoskeletal pain (level of pain, site of pain), demographic features, and occupational factors (workload, job placement, and length of work). Musculoskeletal pain was assessed using adapted standardized Nordic Questionnaires. Associations between musculoskeletal pain and demographic features, and occupational factors (workload, job placement, and length of work) was examined using Pearson’s Chi-square analysis and Multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 250 respondents, the prevalence rate of pain was 58.40% among textile factory workers in Eastern Ghana with the lower back being the most prevalent body region affected with a percentage of 30.40% and a heightened pain vulnerability observed among individuals with job durations of ≤10 years and 11-20 years and had an odds ratio of 2.13 (95% CI: 0.83–5.44, p = 0.114). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among textile factory workers in Eastern region of Ghana. The heightened pain vulnerability observed among individuals with job durations of ≤10 years and 11-20 years flags the need for early career interventions by management.